Saturday, December 21, 2013

Book Review: Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

NOTE: I received this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

My first thoughts after I finished Unleashing Mr. Darcy went something along the lines Oh my! I believe I just fell in love again! And this time it's for the right Mr. Darcy!

With that said, I am adamant that Unleashing Mr. Darcy is even better than the original Austen Pride and Prejudice. So judge me! Or not. I don't care!

Usually I dread reading a favorite classic's retelling. Why? Because I end up hating them more often than not. It's sad, I know, but it's the truth. In fact, I've already read one Pride and Prejudice retelling this year and I was abysmally disappointed.

So you see, I was very tentative when requesting Unleashing Mr. Darcy. I was even more so when I started reading it, but I just couldn't pass up the chance because you know - it might just turn out to be a jewel.

Good heavens! I'm elated to say that my worries were completely in vain. Nothing about this novel was the mirror image of P&P and I just so loved that! Sure, the story line followed the original, but it had it's own quirks too. Also, all the little things that annoyed me in P&P were gone here. Like Wickam's marriage to Lidia - completely out of the story. Or his pursuit of Darcy's sister. Phew! Gone too! Or Darcy's coldness. Gosh that needed to be gone - I mean no man can be a statue, right?

I can proudly say that I was more affected by Elizabeth Scott and Donovan Darcy than Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Why?

Well, for starters, Donovan's character was a lot more down to earth and he had his own POV chapters! That right there is a huge bonus that I just can't ignore. I mean, I don't know about you, but I've always wanted an in on Mr. Darcy's thoughts! And let me tell you, Donovan did NOT disappoint! *I can only giggle!* It was easier to know where he was coming from, why he was behaving the way he was, what drove him etc. Which is why I found him not only charming, but also completely irresistible! He was lovely, passionate, incredibly careful and considerate. I really wanted to just snatch him off the pages and keep him for myself.

Elizabeth's character was the more conceited one here. Her prejudice - as Donovan pointed out - bordered on snobbery. There were moments when I was ready to strangle her for only seeing the negativity of her situation. That facade she had going on was - to say the least - annoying. I don't know how often I was urging her to just let bygones be bygones. I mean, the past cannot be changed, but that doesn't mean you should turn your back to the future too, right? Other than that, Elizabeth was strong. She followed her heart to the best of her abilities, and even managed to make friends far away from home.

If you're a Jane Austen fan, I suggest you don't pass up this opportunity. I'm sure you'll love Unleashing Mr. Darcy as much as I did!